Nonmedical prescription opioid use and mental health and pain comorbidities: a narrative review

Applicability of Artificial Societies to Evaluate Health Care Policies

SUMMARY STATEMENT

We propose the use of artificial societies to support health care policymakers in understanding and forecasting the impact and adverse effects of policies. Artificial societies extend the agent-based modeling paradigm using social science research to allow integrating the human component. We simulate individuals as socially capable software agents with their individual parameters in their situated environment including social networks. We describe the application of our method to better understand policy effects on the opioid crisis in Washington, DC, as an example. We document how to initialize the agent population with a mix of empiric and synthetic data, calibrate the model, and make forecasts of possible developments. The simulation forecasts a rise in opioid-related deaths as they were observed during the pandemic. This article demonstrates how to take human aspects into account when evaluating health care policies.

The impact of chronic pain and depression on medication for opioid use disorder treatment: A mixed-methods analysis

Background

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is a cost-effective treatment, but retention rates vary widely.

Aim

Mixed methods studies are needed to better understand how depression and pain impact the experience of OUD and MOUD treatment experiences.

Methods

Participants were recruited from an urban addiction treatment center in the United States. Along with demographic characteristics, current pain severity, pain interference, pain catastrophizing, and depression were assessed via self-report. Correlational analyses, multivariable logistic regression models, Fisher exact tests, and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to examine the impact of demographic characteristics, physical pain, and depression on multiple treatment outcomes: 90-day treatment engagement (total number of dispensed MOUD doses), retention (yes/no still in treatment at 90 days), and opioid use (positive/negative urinalysis for opioids at 90 days). Ten participants were interviewed about their history with physical pain, depression, opioid use, and OUD treatment experiences. Themes were identified using a rapid analysis, top-down approach.

Results

Fifty participants enrolled in the study and received buprenorphine (12%) or methadone (88%). Older age was associated with 90-day treatment engagement. Higher depression scores were associated with a positive opioid urinalysis at 90-day follow-up. In interviews, participants reported experiencing chronic physical pain and depression before and during their OUD and an interest in addressing mental and physical health in addiction treatment.

Conclusions

Addressing co-occurring physical and mental health concerns during MOUD treatment has the potential to improve the treatment experience and abstinence from opioids.

Sex differences in the associations of non-medical use of prescription drugs with depressive and anxiety symptoms among undergraduates in China

BACKGROUND

Non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) and their association with depression and anxiety are becoming global concerns. Biological sex may introduce differential exposure to NMUPD or depressive/anxiety symptoms. However, few studies have investigated the potential sex differences in the associations of NMUPD with depressive/anxiety symptoms.

METHODS

Data were drawn from the 2019 School-based Chinese College Students Health Survey. A total of 30,039 undergraduates (mean age: 19.8 [SD: 1.3] years) from sixty universities/colleges in China completed standard questionnaires and were included in the study (response rate: 97.7 %).

RESULTS

In the final adjusted model, non-medical use of opioids (experimenters: β = 1.10, [95 % CI, 0.62 to 1.57]) or sedatives (frequent users: β = 2.98, [95 % CI, 0.70 to 5.26]) was associated with depressive symptoms, while non-medical use of opioids (frequent users: β = 1.37, [95 % CI, 0.32 to 2.42]) or sedatives (frequent users: β = 1.19, [95 % CI, 0.35 to 2.03]) was also associated with anxiety symptoms. Sex-stratified analyses indicated that lifetime opioids misuse was associated with depressive symptoms in both sexes but with anxiety symptoms only in males (β = 0.39, [95 % CI, 0.09 to 0.70]). The association of lifetime sedative misuse with depressive symptoms was greater in males, while the significant association with anxiety symptoms remained only in female (β = 0.52, [95 % CI, 0.14 to 0.91]).

LIMITATIONS

Causal inference cannot be made due to the cross-sectional nature of the data.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests NMUPD is associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms among Chinese undergraduates, and the associations may differ by sex.

A patient-centered nurse-supported primary care-based collaborative care program to treat opioid use disorder and depression: Design and protocol for the MI-CARE randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Opioid use disorder (OUD) contributes to rising morbidity and mortality. Life-saving OUD treatments can be provided in primary care but most patients with OUD don't receive treatment. Comorbid depression and other conditions complicate OUD management, especially in primary care. The MI-CARE trial is a pragmatic randomized encouragement (Zelen) trial testing whether offering collaborative care (CC) to patients with OUD and clinically-significant depressive symptoms increases OUD medication treatment with buprenorphine and improves depression outcomes compared to usual care.

METHODS

Adult primary care patients with OUD and depressive symptoms (n ≥ 800) from two statewide health systems: Kaiser Permanente Washington and Indiana University Health are identified with computer algorithms from electronic Health record (EHR) data and automatically enrolled. A random sub-sample (50%) of eligible patients is offered the MI-CARE intervention: a 12-month nurse-driven CC intervention that includes motivational interviewing and behavioral activation. The remaining 50% of the study cohort comprise the usual care comparison group and is never contacted. The primary outcome is days of buprenorphine treatment provided during the intervention period. The powered secondary outcome is change in Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 depression scores. Both outcomes are obtained from secondary electronic healthcare sources and compared in "intent-to-treat" analyses.

CONCLUSION

MI-CARE addresses the need for rigorous encouragement trials to evaluate benefits of offering CC to generalizable samples of patients with OUD and mental health conditions identified from EHRs, as they would be in practice, and comparing outcomes to usual primary care. We describe the design and implementation of the trial, currently underway.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05122676. Clinical trial registration date: November 17, 2021.

Opioid prescriptions after knee replacement: a retrospective study of pathways and prognostic factors in the Swiss healthcare setting

OBJECTIVES

The optimal use of opioids after knee replacement (KR) remains to be determined, given the growing evidence that opioids are no more effective than other analgesics and that their adverse effects can impair quality of life. Therefore, the objective is to examine opioid prescriptions after KR.

DESIGN

In this retrospective study, we used descriptive statistics and estimated the association of prognostic factors using generalised negative binomial models.

SETTING

The study is based on anonymised claims data of patients with mandatory health insurance at Helsana, a leading Swiss health insurance.

PARTICIPANTS

Overall, 9122 patients undergoing KR between 2015 and 2018 were identified.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Based on reimbursed bills, we calculated the dosage (morphine equivalent dose, MED) and the episode length (acute: <90 days; subacute: ≥90 to <120 days or <10 claims; chronic: ≥90 days and ≥10 claims or ≥120 days). The incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for postoperative opioids were calculated.

RESULTS

Of all patients, 3445 (37.8%) received opioids in the postoperative year. A large majority had acute episodes (3067, 89.0%), 2211 (65.0%) had peak MED levels above 100 mg/day and most patients received opioids in the first 10 postoperative weeks (2881, 31.6%). Increasing age (66-75 and >75 vs 18-65) was associated with decreased IRR (0.776 (95% CI 0.7 to 0.859); 0.723 (95% CI 0.649 to 0.805)), whereas preoperative non-opioid analgesics and opioids were associated with higher IRR (1.271 (95% CI 1.155 to 1.399); 3.977 (95% CI 4.409 to 3.591)).

CONCLUSION

The high opioid demand is unexpected given that current recommendations advise using opioids only when other pain therapies are ineffective. To ensure medication safety, it is important to consider alternative treatment options and ensure that benefits outweigh potential risks.

Addressing opioid medication misuse at point of service in community pharmacy: A study protocol for an interdisciplinary behavioral health trial

BACKGROUND

>1 in 3 of the 9 million individuals engaged in opioid medication misuse obtain legitimate opioid prescriptions and fill these in community pharmacies, which are subsequently misused. This study is testing the efficacy of a pharmacist-led intervention-Brief Intervention-Medication Therapy Management (BI-MTM)-compared to standard medication counseling (SMC) to address opioid medication misuse.

METHODS

Design. This study is a single-blinded 2-group parallel randomized trial within 13 community pharmacies that will enroll 350 individuals. Participant Recruitment. Pharmacy staff approach patients and ask about interest in completing a brief confidential screening tool, which includes opioid medication misuse assessment. Interested patients who report misuse are asked to provide informed consent. Enrolled patients are assessed for behavioral and physical health at enrollment, 2-months post-enrollment, and 6-months post-enrollment.

INTERVENTIONS

Following baseline assessment, participants are randomized (1:1 ratio) to: SMC, a medication information/counseling intervention or BI-MTM, an intervention comprised by 4 evidence-based components: medication therapy management, brief intervention, naloxone dispensing, and patient navigation.

ANALYSES

Primary analyses involve estimating 3-level generalized linear mixed models to relate repeated assessments across time of opioid medication misuse (i.e., the Prescription Opioid Misuse Index) to the intervention.

CONCLUSION

Study results will provide the first critical step towards integrating a highly accessible, low-cost approach to managing risks related to opioid use. Community pharmacies provide an incredibly important setting in which patients can receive high quality care to support health behavior change. Successfully completing this project sets the stage for a large-scale effectiveness study. (NCT#: NCT05141266).

Opioid use as a proximal risk factor for suicidal behavior in young adults

INTRODUCTION

There is a concomitant rise in suicide rates with the prevalence of opioids involved in overdose deaths, especially among adolescents and young adults. However, there are limited studies on whether opioid use prospectively predicts suicidal behavior in youth.

METHODS

Our sample included 183 psychiatric patients (18-30 years) admitted for a suicide attempt (SA), have current suicidal ideation (SI), and psychiatric controls without ideation or attempt (PC). Suicidal behavior was assessed using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. We also recruited a healthy control group (HC; n = 40). Patients and controls were followed over a year. ANOVA, regression, and cox regression were used.

RESULTS

Suicide attempt (β = 0.87, CI [0.1-1.6], p = 0.02) and SI [(β = 0.75, CI [0.03-1.5], p = 0.04) were significantly more likely than HCs to have used opioids in the past year at baseline. Opioid use was associated with increased anxiety symptoms (β = 0.75, CI [0.001-1.5], p = 0.05), PTSD symptoms (β = 3.90, CI [1.1-6.7], p = 0.01), and aggression (β = 0.02, CI [0.01-0.04], p = 0.02). Opioid use in the month prior to hospitalization predicted SA at 6 months (OR = 1.87, CI [1.06-3.31], p = 0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

Opioid use is a proximal predictor for SA. These findings may help clinicians better identify patients at risk for suicidal behavior, allowing for more personalized treatment approaches.

How do people who use drugs receiving Opioid Medication Therapy perceive their treatment ? A multicentre study

Background

The resurgence of heroin use and the misuse of pharmaceutical opioids are some of the reasons for a worldwide increase in opioid dependence. Opioid Medication Therapies (OMT) have amply demonstrated their efficacy. From a medical point of view, the main objectives of OMT concern medical and social outcomes, centred on risk reduction and the cessation of opioid use. But patient points of view can differ and few studies have explored opioid-dependent patient viewpoints on their OMT. This variable seems important to consider in a patient-centred approach. The aim of our study was to explore points of view of people who use drugs (PWUD) treated with OMT, in a large multicentre sample.

Method

A cross-sectional multicentre study explored the points of view of PWUD with Opioid Use Disorder following OMT. Data regarding the patients’ points of view were collected using a self-administered questionnaire developed by the scientific committee of the study. A descriptive analysis and an exploratory factor analysis were performed to explore the structure of items exploring patient viewpoints.

Results

263 opioid dependent PWUD were included, a majority were men consuming heroin prior to being prescribed OMT. 68% were on methadone, 32% were on buprenorphine. Most PWUD identified a positive impact on their lives, with 92.8% agreeing or strongly agreeing that OMT had changed a lot of things in their lives. The exploratory factor analysis identified three factors: (F1) items related to points of views concerning the objectives and efficacy of OMT; (F2) items related to the legitimacy of OMT as a treatment compared to a drug, (F3) items related to experiences and relationships with OMT.

Conclusion

Patient viewpoints on efficacy were correlated with the pharmacological benefits of OMT and with the associated psychosocial measures. The implications of OMT in relationships, such as the feeling of being judged, concerned a majority. Points of view were ambivalent concerning the role of OMT as a treatment or as a drug. Involving patient points of view in therapeutic strategies decisions could help enhance positive views among PWUD on OMT and help PWUD towards their recovery.

Trial registration: OPAL study was registered: (NCT01847729).

Genetics and prescription opioid use (GaPO): study design for consenting a cohort from an existing biobank to identify clinical and genetic factors influencing prescription opioid use and abuse

BACKGROUND

Prescription opioids (POs) are commonly used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain in the health system setting. Although they improve quality of life for many patients, more work is needed to identify both the clinical and genetic factors that put certain individuals at high risk for developing opioid use disorder (OUD) following use of POs for pain relief. With a greater understanding of important risk factors, physicians will be better able to identify patients at highest risk for developing OUD for whom non-opioid alternative therapies and treatments should be considered.

METHODS

We are conducting a prospective observational study that aims to identify the clinical and genetic factors most stongly associated with OUD. The study design leverages an existing biobank that includes whole exome sequencing and array genotyping. The biobank is maintained within an integrated health system, allowing for the large-scale capture and integration of genetic and non-genetic data. Participants are enrolled into the health system biobank via informed consent and then into a second study that focuses on opioid medication use. Data capture includes validated self-report surveys measuring addiction severity, depression, anxiety, and nicotine use, as well as additional clinical, prescription, and brain imaging data extracted from electronic health records.

DISCUSSION

We will harness this multimodal data capture to establish meaningful patient phenotypes in order to understand the genetic and non-genetic contributions to OUD.

Prevalence and correlates of non-fatal overdose among people who use drugs: findings from rapid assessments in Massachusetts, 2017-2019

BACKGROUND

People who experience non-fatal overdose (NFOD) are at high risk of subsequent overdose. With unprecedented increases in fentanyl in the US drug supply, many Massachusetts (MA) communities have seen a surge in opioid-related overdoses. The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with lifetime and past year NFOD in at-risk MA communities.

METHODS

We conducted multiple rapid assessments among people who use drugs (PWUD) in eight MA communities using non-probability sampling (purposive, chain referral, respondent-driven) methods. We collected sociodemographic, substance use, overdose history, substance use treatment, and harm reduction services utilization data. We examined the prevalence of NFOD (lifetime and past year) and identified factors associated with NFOD through multivariable logistic regression analyses in a subset of 469 study participants between 2017 and 2019.

RESULTS

The prevalence of lifetime and last year non-fatal opioid overdose was 62.5% and 36.9%, respectively. Many of the study participants reported heroin (64%) and fentanyl (45%) use during the 30 days preceding the survey. Nonprescription buprenorphine and fentanyl use were independently associated with higher odds of lifetime NFOD, while marijuana use was associated with lower odds of lifetime NFOD (p < 0.05). Injection as the route of administration, benzodiazepine, nonprescription buprenorphine, heroin, and fentanyl use were independently associated with higher odds, while methadone use was associated with lower odds of past year NFOD (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We documented a high prevalence of past year and lifetime NFOD among PWUD in MA. Our findings provide indicators that can help inform interventions to prevent overdoses among PWUD, including overdose prevention, medication treatment, and naloxone distribution.

Drug use, homelessness and health: responding to the opioid overdose crisis with housing and harm reduction services

Background

Canada is in the midst of an opioid overdose crisis and Alberta has one of the highest opioid use rates across the country. Populations made vulnerable through structural inequities who also use opioids, such as those who are unstably housed, are at an increased risk of experiencing harms associated with opioid use. The main purpose of this study was to explore if there was an association between unstable housing and hospital use for people who use opioids.

Methods

Analysis utilized self-reported data from the Alberta Health and Drug Use Survey which surveyed 813 Albertans in three cities. Hospital use was modeled using a logistic regression with our primary variable of interest being housing unstable status. Chi square tests were conducted between hospital use and variables associated with demographics, characteristics of drug use, health characteristics, and experiences of receiving services to establish model inclusion.

Results

Results revealed a significant association between housing instability and hospital use with unstably housed individuals twice as likely torequire hospital care.

Conclusions

Results highlight the importance of concurrently addressing housing instability alongside the provision of harm reduction services such as safe supply and supervised consumption sites. These findings have significant implications for policy and policymakers during the opioid overdose epidemic, and provide a foundation for future areas of research.

Cognitive-Affective Transdiagnostic Factors Associated With Vulnerability to Alcohol and Prescription Opioid Use in the Context of Pain

The use of alcohol and prescription opioids is common among people in pain and poses significant public health burdens. This review identifies factors associated with motivation to use alcohol and prescription opioids in the context of pain. Pain-relevant, cognitive-affective, transdiagnostic vulnerability factors-expectancies/motives, pain catastrophizing, pain-related anxiety, distress intolerance, anxiety sensitivity, and perceived interrelations-were selected from theoretical conceptualizations of pain and substance use. Searches conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase returned 25 studies that examined associations between identified variables of interest and the use of alcohol and prescription opioids in the context of pain. Consistent with a larger literature on pain and substance use, the studies included in this review demonstrated that people with chronic pain are motivated to use alcohol and opioids in response to negative affect and hold expectancies/motives for coping with pain. Vulnerabilities that engender difficulty managing aversive internal states (distress intolerance and anxiety sensitivity) and maladaptive responses to pain (pain-related anxiety and pain catastrophizing) also were implicated in motivation for alcohol and opioid use. Although one study found that pain-related anxiety was associated with co-use of alcohol and opioids, no studies examined simultaneous use. Future research directions that can explicate causal associations, identify patterns of alcohol and opioid co-use, clarify the role of pain in cessation processes, and inform treatment development are discussed.

Personality to Prescription Drug Misuse in Adolescents: Testing Affect Regulation, Psychological Dysregulation, and Deviance Proneness Pathways

Background: Fifteen to 25-year-olds are the age group most likely to misuse prescription drugs. Few studies have tested theory-driven models of adolescent risk for prescription drug misuse. Moreover, rarely are distinct pathways to different forms of prescription drug misuse considered. Methods: We tested mediational paths from personality to mental health symptoms to prescription drug misuse, informed by etiological models of addiction. We specified pathways from particular personality traits to unique forms of prescription drug misuse via specific mental health symptoms. We used semi-longitudinal data collected across two waves of the Co-Venture Trial. Our sample included students from 31 Canadian high schools tested in Grade 9 (n = 3,024) and again in Grade 10 (n = 2,869; 95% retention). Personality (hopelessness, anxiety sensitivity, impulsivity, sensation seeking) was assessed in Grade 9. Mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety, ADHD, conduct disorder) and prescription drug misuse (opioids, sedatives/tranquilizers, stimulants) were assessed at both time points. Results: Consistent with the negative affect regulation model, hopelessness was specifically associated with opioid misuse via depressive symptoms, and anxiety sensitivity was specifically associated with sedative/tranquilizer misuse via anxiety symptoms. Consistent with positive affect regulation, sensation seeking was directly associated with stimulant misuse. Consistent with the psychological dysregulation model, impulsivity was associated with stimulant misuse via ADHD symptoms. And consistent with the deviance proneness model, impulsivity was also associated with unconstrained (i.e., all three forms of) prescription drug misuse via conduct disorder symptoms. Conclusions: Screening for adolescents high in hopelessness, anxiety sensitivity, sensation seeking, or impulsivity and providing them with personality-matched cognitive-behavioral interventions may be helpful in preventing or mitigating prescription drug misuse. Our results point to the specific mental health symptoms that are important to target in each of these personality-matched interventions.

Trends in Urine Drug Testing Among Long-term Opioid Users, 2012-2018

INTRODUCTION

Long-term opioid therapy increases the risk of opioid overdose death. Government agencies and medical societies, including the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Society for Clinical Oncology, emphasized risk mitigation strategies, including urine drug testing, in published guidelines. Urine drug testing rates, time trends, and covariates among long-term opioid therapy users were examined to gauge guideline adherence.

METHODS

Using Optum's De-identified Clinformatics DataMart, an incidence cohort (n=28,790) and prevalence cohort (n=621,449) were created to measure baseline and annual urine drug testing, respectively, from 2012 to 2018. Urine drug testing time trends were evaluated by demographics, pain conditions, and Elixhauser comorbidity index. A multivariable generalized estimating model was developed in 2020 to examine the factors associated with urine drug testing.

RESULTS

Annual urine drug testing rates doubled from 25.6% in 2012 to 52.2% in 2018, whereas baseline urine drug testing also increased from 3.75% to 11.1%. Annual urine drug testing increased within each age group over time; however, older patients (OR=0.21, 95% CI=0.21, 0.22, aged >79 years) and patients with cancer (OR=0.82, 95% CI=0.80, 0.84) were less likely to receive urine drug testing. Patients residing in the South (OR=1.99, 95% CI=1.96, 2.01) and those with back pain (OR=2.04, 95% CI=2.02, 2.06) or with other chronic pain (OR=1.64, 95% CI=1.62, 1.66) were significantly more likely to be tested. Independent predictors of baseline urine drug testing were similar to predictors of annual urine drug testing.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite increasing urine drug testing trends from 2012 to 2018, annual and baseline urine drug testing remained low in 2018, relative to numerous guideline recommendations. Findings suggest a need for research on better guideline implementation strategies and the effectiveness of urine drug testing on patient outcomes.

Brief intervention medication therapy management: Establishment of an opioid misuse intervention model delivered in a community pharmacy

PURPOSE

Medication expertise and close patient contact position community pharmacists to make significant contributions to combatting the opioid epidemic. This position facilitated the development and initial implementation of the Brief Intervention Medication Therapy Management (BIMTM) model to detect and address patient opioid misuse. BIMTM is an intervention consisting of 9 sessions. One medication management session is delivered by a pharmacist in a community pharmacy setting, and the remaining sessions are delivered telephonically by a patient navigator to follow up with goals established with the pharmacist and address concomitant health concerns that increase risk for misuse.

METHODS

We employed the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to summarize and present key findings from 4 distinct studies. CFIR domains addressed were (1) intervention characteristics, (2) outer setting, (3) inner setting, (4) process, and (5) characteristics of individuals. The study results show sequential development of evidence for BIMTM.

RESULTS

A multistate cross-sectional pharmacist survey (n = 739) demonstrated limited pharmacist training and/or resources to address misuse, suggesting the need for external intervention development. Our multistakeholder intervention planning project showed limitations of current evidence-based models of care and of intervention implementation, which resulted in construction of the BIMTM. A multisite cross-sectional screening survey of patients (n = 333) established an electronic misuse screening protocol within 4 community pharmacies and identified opioid misuse in 15% of screened patients; among those patients, 98% had concomitant health conditions that contribute to the risk of opioid misuse. Presentation of study results to pharmacy leaders produced commitment for intervention implementation and a partnership to develop a grant proposal supporting this action. Our small-scale randomized trial evinced success in recruitment and retention and BIMTM patient benefit. The small-scale randomized trial likewise showed high levels of satisfaction with BIMTM.

CONCLUSION

The establishment of BIMTM supports community pharmacist identification and intervention with patients engaged in misuse. Continued use of this research-based strategy may further empower pharmacists to address the opioid epidemic.

Abuse-Deterrent Opioid Formulations and the Opioid Crisis: A Pharmacist's Perspective

BACKGROUND

For over 20 years, the United States has suffered the detrimental effects of an opioid epidemic. Extended-release opioid products are particularly prone to abuse due to the high amount of opioid present. By bypassing the controlled-release mechanisms and nonoral administration, individuals experience intense and dangerous "highs." Abuse-deterrent opioid formulations have been recommended as a potential solution to the crisis, but widespread utilization has been stunted and their role in therapy remains unclear owing to limited real-world efficacy data and affordability issues. This review discusses abuse-deterrent opioid formulations, the mechanisms and data underlying available products, and a pharmacist's perspective of their role in the opioid crisis.

METHODS

The authors reviewed PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar electronic databases for premarketing and postmarketing studies on OxyContin, Xtampza ER, and Hysingla ER.

RESULTS

Studies showed lower rates of abuse (19% reduction), opioid use disorder (27%), overdose (34%), and fatalities (85%) with the reformulated OxyContin when compared with the original product and comparator opioids. However, these studies revealed the potential for bypassing abuse-deterrent mechanisms and diverting abuse to other drugs. Postmarketing studies are unavailable for Xtampza ER or Hysingla ER, although premarketing studies suggested that some controlled-release properties persist when the product is manipulated, indicating that abuse may be more difficult and less rewarding.

CONCLUSIONS

Abuse-deterrent opioid products may lead to reductions in abuse, overdose, and overdose fatalities. However, cost, loopholes in deterrence mechanism, and possible diversion to other substances hinder their role in the opioid crisis. Multiple approaches must be used to improve opioid safety, and further postmarketing and real-world analyses should be performed on available opioid formulations to assess their impact on abuse-related adverse events.

Acute pain management among patients with opioid maintenance therapy: specificities and difficulties identified in primary care: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVES

In the last 30 years, opioid maintenance treatment prescription (OMT) has changed patients' and also changed physicians' practices. General practitioners (GPs) have to deal with patients on OMT who are in acute pain. The objective of this qualitative study was to explore medical care challenges and solutions identified by GPs in the management of acute pain among patients receiving OMT.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Qualitative study with semistructured interviews were used as a data collection technique with a sampling strategy using a snowball sampling method to obtain a purposive sample of practicing GPs. Analysis was undertaken using a thematic analysis method.

PARTICIPANTS

Twelve GPs, working in France (Brittany) who prescribe OMT were interviewed.

RESULTS

The thematic analysis resulted in two main themes relating to specificities and difficulties identified: (1) Medical care and training challenges identified by GPs treating patients on OMT with acute pain, with four subthemes : management of these situations not concerning primary care, lack of training prompts GPs to rely on peer and specialist support, lack of guidelines and conflicting recommendations between clinicians in different settings (2) linked to the patient-GP relationship, with six subthemes: Implementing an individualised centred approach, acute pain management during OMT relies on a relationship based on trust, GPs found difficulties in evaluating and treating pain, difficulties in care adherence, fear of patients destabilisation, fear of misuse and diversion.

CONCLUSION

The complexity of acute pain and OMT entails significant challenges for clinicians and patients. In primary care, it is hard to achieve a balance between pain relief and opioid use disorder treatment, in a global patient-centred approach. Fear of misuse or diversion was not a important factor, except for patients not known to the practitioners, but GPs were concerned with the risks of patient destabilisation in situations of acute pain.

Experimental sleep disruption attenuates morphine analgesia: findings from a randomized trial and implications for the opioid abuse epidemic

Preclinical studies demonstrate that sleep disruption diminishes morphine analgesia and modulates reward processing. We sought to translate these preclinical findings to humans by examining whether sleep disruption alters morphine's analgesic and hedonic properties. We randomized 100 healthy adults to receive morphine versus placebo after two nights of undisturbed sleep (US) and two nights of forced awakening (FA) sleep disruption. Sleep conditions were counterbalanced, separated by a two-week washout. The morning after both sleep conditions, we tested cold pressor pain tolerance before and 40-min after double-blind injection of .08 mg/kg morphine or placebo. The primary outcome was the analgesia index, calculated as the change in cold pressor hand withdrawal latency (HWL) before and after drug injection. Secondary outcomes were ratings of feeling "high," drug "liking," and negative drug effects. We found a significant sleep condition by drug interaction on the analgesia index (95% CI - 0.57, - 0.001). After US, subjects receiving morphine demonstrated significantly longer HWL compared to placebo (95% CI 0.23, 0.65), but not after FA (95% CI - 0.05, 0.38). Morphine analgesia was diminished threefold under FA, relative to US. After FA, females (95% CI - 0.88, - 0.05), but not males (95% CI - 0.23, 0.72), reported decreased subjective "high" effects compared to US. After FA, females (95% CI 0.05, 0.27), but not males (95% CI - 0.10, 0.11), administered morphine reported increased negative drug effects compared to US. These data demonstrate that sleep disruption attenuates morphine analgesia in humans and suggest that sleep disturbed males may be at greatest risk for problematic opioid use.

A mixed methods study exploring methadone treatment disclosure and perceptions of reproductive health care among women ages 18-44 years, Los Angeles, CA

INTRODUCTION

Opioid use disorder (OUD) and methadone treatment are increasing among women ages 18-44 years old, a population with unique healthcare needs. Despite this increase, there is little research on the healthcare experiences of women with OUD, particularly experiences with reproductive healthcare.

METHODS

We designed a sequential, mixed-methods study in three Los Angeles methadone clinics. In the first phase, we conducted in-depth interviews with women in methadone treatment (n = 22) (September-December 2016). After thematic coding and analysis, we designed and administered a survey to understand patterns in women's experiences and reproductive health knowledge, attitudes, and behavior (n = 50) (January-April 2018). We conducted descriptive statistics, then integrated the quantitative and qualitative findings to contextualize and understand perceptions and experiences with healthcare providers among women in methadone treatment.

RESULTS

We found that women experienced and anticipated that providers would treat them poorly when they disclosed that they were in methadone treatment for OUD. Women's actual experiences with disclosure, shared in in-depth interviews, varied by whether they had disclosed their status intentionally or inadvertently. Approximately one-third (37%) of survey respondents thought a healthcare provider would scold them if they became pregnant; however, all who had been pregnant in the past while on methadone (n = 11) reported disclosing methadone treatment during pregnancy to their provider. Under a quarter of all women (22%) said having a healthy pregnancy while on methadone was likely or very likely. These perceptions were reinforced by negative experiences with providers, or, in many cases, women in the survey reported that they had never discussed the recommendations for a healthy pregnancy while on methadone with a healthcare provider.

DISCUSSION

Women experience and anticipate experiencing negative interactions with their healthcare providers if and when they disclose their methadone treatment. These perceptions and experiences impact subsequent treatment seeking and disclosure. The majority of women did not discuss pregnancy with healthcare providers. To improve quality of care, healthcare providers can provide a safe space for women to disclose methadone treatment through nonjudgmental communication that intentionally alleviates stigma. Additionally, healthcare providers should understand medical guidelines and laws/policies around methadone during pregnancy and communicate this understanding to all patients who may wish to become pregnant or who are at risk for unintended pregnancy.

CANUE: A Theoretical Model of Pain as an Antecedent for Substance Use

BACKGROUND

Pain and substance use are frequently comorbid and have been shown to exert bidirectional effects. Self-medication of pain and distress via substance use is common and can be understood via negative reinforcement, ultimately strengthening the pathway between pain to substance use over time. As such, a testable model of the potentially modifiable candidate mechanisms that underlie the pain to substance use pathway is needed.

PURPOSE

This review proposes a testable model of pain as an antecedent to substance use to guide future research and inform clinical practice.

METHODS

An integrative review of current evidence regarding pain, substance use, and associated risk factors (i.e., negative affect, pain-related attitudes, negative urgency, and substance use outcome expectancies) was conducted.

RESULTS

The Catastrophizing, Anxiety, Negative Urgency, and Expectancy (CANUE) model highlights modifiable risk factors for self-medicating pain with substance use, including increased negative affect and maladaptive pain-related attitudes (i.e., pain catastrophizing, pain anxiety, and fear of pain), negative urgency, and substance-related outcome expectancies for pain relief and enhanced pain coping.

CONCLUSIONS

Targeted behavioral and psychological interventions that address these factors may facilitate more adaptive pain-coping responses, thereby reducing the impacts of pain on substance use. Systematic research is needed to evaluate the validity and clinical utility of this model.

A temporal relationship between nonmedical opioid Use and major depression in the U.S.: A Prospective study from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions

BACKGROUND

Given the existing strong cross-sectional relationship between nonmedical opioid use (NMOU) and major depressive disorder (MDD), this study focused on the temporal relationship between NMOU and major depression.

METHODS

Data sources were derived from Wave 1 and Wave 2 of the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Logistic regression was applied to predicted NMOU at the follow-up survey based on baseline MDD diagnosis and symptoms of MDD among the sample without lifetime NMOU at baseline (N=32,982). In parallel, we examined the relationship between past year NMOU at baseline and new onset of MDD diagnosis (N=28,649) and between past year NMOU at baseline and new onset of symptoms of MDD (N=23,214) among people without major depression diagnosis or symptoms at baseline.

RESULTS

MDD diagnosis (aOR=1.68, 95% CI=1.43, 1.98) and symptoms of major depression (aOR=1.25, 95% CI=1.14, 1.38) at baseline were associated with higher odds of incident NMOU. The baseline NMOU was associated with lower odds incident MDD diagnosis (aOR=0.79, 95%CI=0.66, 0.94) in the adjusted model. However, the baseline NMOU was associated with higher odds of new onset of major depressive symptoms at wave 2 in the sample without baseline symptoms of MDD (aOR=1.42, 95%CI=1.23, 1.63).

CONCLUSION

Symptoms of MDD and MDD diagnosis increased the new onset of NMOU, while NMOU only increased the risks of new onset of symptoms of MDD.

Conduct disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as risk factors for prescription opioid use

BACKGROUND

Existing studies of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder (CD), and substance use or substance use disorders have produced mixed results, with some identifying a direct link between ADHD and general or disordered substance use and others suggesting that comorbid CD may explain this relationship. Insufficient research has addressed the issue, which is particularly relevant in the context of the opioid crisis. This study examined the association of probable ADHD and childhood CD with self-reported opioid use in a general-population sample.

METHOD

The 2011-2013 cycles of the CAMH Monitor, a cross-sectional survey of adults (18+ years) from Ontario, Canada provided data from 6074 respondents. Binary logistic regressions were conducted of self-reported medical, non-medical, and any prescription opioid use in the previous 12 months, assessing demographic characteristics, perceived physical and mental health, and probable ADHD, childhood (before age 15 years) symptoms of CD, or their combination.

RESULTS

Adjusting for potential covariates, probable ADHD alone was not associated with prescription opioid use. Childhood symptoms of CD significantly predicted non-medical use (OR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.10, 4.03). ADHD and CD symptoms combined significantly predicted medical (OR = 3.27, 95% CI = 1.20, 8.91), non-medical (OR = 4.73, 95% CI = 1.05, 21.30), and any (OR = 3.02, 95% CI = 1.13, 8.11) prescription opioid use, although a low base rate of non-medical use may have negatively affected model fit.

CONCLUSIONS

Previous findings relating ADHD to opioid use could be explained, in part, by the high rate of comorbidity between ADHD and CD. These data support prevention and treatment programs targeting individuals with comorbid ADHD and CD symptoms.

Impact of Pharmacological Treatments for Opioid Use Disorder on Mortality

The use of pharmacological treatments for opioid use disorders, including methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone has been associated with a reduction in mortality compared with illicit opioid use. However, these treatments can also contribute significantly to the risk of death. The opioid agonists methadone and buprenorphine achieve clinical efficacy in patients with an opioid use disorder through suppressing craving and diminishing the effectiveness of illicit opioid doses, while the antagonist naltrexone blocks the action of opioids. Pharmacological differences between opioid pharmacotherapies then create different temporal patterns of protection and mortality risk, different risks of relapse to illicit opioid use, and variations in direct and indirect toxicity, which are revealed in clinical and epidemiological studies. Induction onto methadone and the cessation of oral naltrexone treatment are associated with an elevated risk of opioid poisoning, which is not apparent in patients treated with buprenorphine or sustained-release naltrexone. Beyond drug-related mortality, these pharmacotherapies can impact a participant's risk of death. Buprenorphine may also have some advantages over methadone in patients with depressive disorders or cardiovascular abnormalities. Naltrexone, which is also commonly prescribed to manage problem alcohol use, may reduce deaths in chronic co-alcohol users. Understanding these pharmacologically driven patterns then guides the judicious choice of drug and dosing schedule and the proactive risk management that is crucial to minimising the risk of death in treatment.

Pharmaceutical practices before and throughout the opioid crisis: A scoping review

METHODS

Opioid misuse has reached epidemic status in many countries. This crisis-recognized since 2014-questions the practices of prescribing and dispensing. Did this public health issue change pharmaceutical practices? This literature review presents pharmaceutical practices regarding treatment of noncancer pain. We will assess whether these practices changed after the declaration of the crisis. We will also present barriers and facilitators to their implementation in real life to understand the distance between them and current practices. A scoping review of the literature was conducted on PubMed, Medline, and Embase for references dealing with pharmaceutical practices regarding noncancer pain management, in French and English, from 2000 to 2018.

RESULTS

The search yielded 250 results, with 25 studies surviving the exclusion process. Twenty studies took place in the United States, the country most affected by the crisis. Interventions took place as interprofessional collaboration (n = 14), patient counseling (6), or a combination of these (5). Although the nature of the interventions remained constant through the crisis, the number of publications greatly increased over time. The studies demonstrated pharmacists' upstream contributions regarding pain management and opioid use. Several large-scale implementation issues, including knowledge gaps and communication barriers, have been reported in these studies and in others that gathered opinions and perspectives of prescribers, pharmacists, and patients.

CONCLUSION

Our review showed that the opioid crisis did not modify the nature of pharmaceutical practices regarding pain treatment and opioid management, but the number of studies reporting these practices greatly increased since its onset. Barriers to implementing the best practices to reduce opioid harm have been identified to explain slow integration in daily practice. Adjustments to teaching and practice methods such as a reviewed pain treatment curriculum, standardized tools, and decision-making algorithms could prove beneficial.

Measuring problem prescription opioid use among patients receiving long-term opioid analgesic treatment: development and evaluation of an algorithm for use in EHR and claims data

Objective

Opioid surveillance in response to the opioid epidemic will benefit from scalable, automated algorithms for identifying patients with clinically documented signs of problem prescription opioid use. Existing algorithms lack accuracy. We sought to develop a high-sensitivity, high-specificity classification algorithm based on widely available structured health data to identify patients receiving chronic extended-release/long-acting (ER/LA) therapy with evidence of problem use to support subsequent epidemiologic investigations.

Methods

Outpatient medical records of a probability sample of 2,000 Kaiser Permanente Washington patients receiving ≥60 days’ supply of ER/LA opioids in a 90-day period from 1 January 2006 to 30 June 2015 were manually reviewed to determine the presence of clinically documented signs of problem use and used as a reference standard for algorithm development. Using 1,400 patients as training data, we constructed candidate predictors from demographic, enrollment, encounter, diagnosis, procedure, and medication data extracted from medical claims records or the equivalent from electronic health record (EHR) systems, and we used adaptive least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression to develop a model. We evaluated this model in a comparable 600-patient validation set. We compared this model to ICD-9 diagnostic codes for opioid abuse, dependence, and poisoning. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov as study NCT02667262 on 28 January 2016.

Results

We operationalized 1,126 potential predictors characterizing patient demographics, procedures, diagnoses, timing, dose, and location of medication dispensing. The final model incorporating 53 predictors had a sensitivity of 0.582 at positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.572. ICD-9 codes for opioid abuse, dependence, and poisoning had a sensitivity of 0.390 at PPV of 0.599 in the same cohort.

Conclusions

Scalable methods using widely available structured EHR/claims data to accurately identify problem opioid use among patients receiving long-term ER/LA therapy were unsuccessful. This approach may be useful for identifying patients needing clinical evaluation.

Age Differences in Non-Medical Prescription Opioid Use and Psychological Distress

Background/Purpose: Prescription opioid use has been recognized as an epidemic in the United States and globally. More research is needed to understand the association of opioids and mental health for older adults. This study examined age differences in the association of non-medical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) and psychological distress, with a focus on older adult populations. Methods: This study used the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), and included 37,842 adults aged 18 and older. Weighted multiple regression and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association of NMPOU and psychological distress, measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Results: NMPOU was associated with higher psychological distress (b = 0.48, SE = 0.16, p < .01). For those 50 and older, NMPOU was associated with 224% increased odds of meeting the clinical threshold for having a serious mental illness (SMI; OR = 2.24, p < .01, 95% CI: 1.23, 4.09). Conclusions: Although the prevalence of NMPOU and psychological distress trended downward throughout the lifespan, the association of NMPOU on SMI was highest among the youngest and oldest adults. These findings highlight the need for services and supports that are tailored for older adult populations. Future research is needed to investigate vulnerabilities from life stage stressors specific to older adults, which may account for the disproportionate odds of opioid use on mental health pathology. Interprofessional collaboration is needed among geriatric professionals to provide effective mental health treatment for this at-risk population.

Correlates of nonmedical use of prescription opioids among a cohort of adolescents in Ontario, Canada

INTRODUCTION

Mortality and morbidity rates related to prescription opioid analgesics have been rising in North America and may be a gateway to the nonmedical use of prescription opioids (NUPO). The purpose of this study was to explore correlates of NUPO in the adolescent population given the scarce literature in this area.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from 10,163 middle- and high-school students (15.1 ± 1.8 years old; 57.0% female; 55.6% White ethnic background) in Ontario were derived from the 2017 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey. Potential correlates of NUPO in the past year included sociodemographic, behavioral, parental, and school characteristics.

RESULTS

Overall prevalence of NUPO was 10.7%. In the final multivariable model, NUPO was significantly associated with 8 of the 21 correlates examined. Students who used prescription opioids nonmedically were of black, South Asian, and "other" ethnic backgrounds (OR 2.83, OR 1.77, and OR 1.67, respectively); reported a lower subjective socioeconomic status (OR 0.92), lower parental support (OR 0.90), and lower academic performance (OR 0.86); met physical activity recommendations (OR 1.48); consumed energy drinks (OR 1.42); smoked tobacco cigarettes (OR 2.33); and used cannabis (OR 1.84).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this study show a wide variety of correlates of NUPO among Canadian adolescents, and highlight the need for further research and the value in targeted prevention and multi-level intervention programs for NUPO in this population.

The Penrose Effect and its acceleration by the war on drugs: a crisis of untranslated neuroscience and untreated addiction and mental illness

In 1939, British psychiatrist Lionel Penrose described an inverse relationship between mental health treatment infrastructure and criminal incarcerations. This relationship, later termed the 'Penrose Effect', has proven remarkably predictive of modern trends which have manifested as reciprocal components, referred to as 'deinstitutionalization' and 'mass incarceration'. In this review, we consider how a third dynamic-the criminalization of addiction via the 'War on Drugs', although unanticipated by Penrose, has likely amplified the Penrose Effect over the last 30 years, with devastating social, economic, and healthcare consequences. We discuss how synergy been the Penrose Effect and the War on Drugs has been mediated by, and reflects, a fundamental neurobiological connection between the brain diseases of mental illness and addiction. This neuroscience of dual diagnosis, also not anticipated by Penrose, is still not being adequately translated into improving clinical training, practice, or research, to treat patients across the mental illness-addictions comorbidity spectrum. This failure in translation, and the ongoing fragmentation and collapse of behavioral healthcare, has worsened the epidemic of untreated mental illness and addictions, while driving unsustainable government investment into mass incarceration and high-cost medical care that profits too exclusively on injuries and multi-organ diseases resulting from untreated addictions. Reversing the fragmentation and decline of behavioral healthcare with decisive action to co-integrate mental health and addiction training, care, and research-may be key to ending criminalization of mental illness and addiction, and refocusing the healthcare system on keeping the population healthy at the lowest possible cost.

Prevalence and Correlates of Depressive Symptomology among Young Adults Who Use Prescription Opioids Non-medically

Non-medical prescription opioid (NMPO) use and depression frequently co-occur and are mutually reinforcing in adults, yet NMPO use and depression in younger populations has been under-studied. We examined the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptomology among NMPO-using young adults. The Rhode Island Young Adult Prescription Drug Study (RAPiDS) recruited young adults in Rhode Island who reported past 30-day NMPO use. We administered the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale (CES-D 10), and used modified Poisson regression to identify the independent correlates of depressive symptomology (CES-D 10 score ≥10). Over half (59.8%, n = 119) screened positive for depressive symptomology. In modified Poisson regression analysis, diagnostic history of depressive disorder and childhood verbal abuse were associated with depressive symptomology. Participants with depressive symptomology were more likely to report using prescription opioids non-medically to feel less depressed or anxious, to avoid withdrawal symptoms, and as a substitute when other drugs are not available. Among young adult NMPO users, depressive symptomology is prevalent and associated with distinct motivations for engaging in NMPO use and represents a potential subgroup for intervention. Improving guidelines with tools such as screening for depressive symptomology among young adult NMPO users may help prevent NMPO-related harms.

Screening tools for detecting problematic opioid use and potential application to community pharmacy practice: a review

Problematic opioid use, constituted by a myriad of conditions ranging from misuse to use disorders, has continued to receive an increasing amount of attention in recent years resulting from the high use of opioids in the United States coinciding with morbidity and mortality. Deaths from drug overdoses increased by over 11% between 2014 and 2015, which supports the need for identification of problematic opioid use in additional health care settings. One of these settings is community pharmacy. The community pharmacy is a unique health service setting to identify and potentially intervene with patients at risk of or exhibit problematic opioid use. Problematic opioid use can be identified using one of the various screening tools in conjunction with evaluating prescription drug monitoring systems. A total of 12 tools were identified that could be employed in community pharmacy settings for identifying problematic opioid use. This review highlights these tools and strategies for use that can be utilized in the community pharmacy, which should be adapted to individual pharmacy settings and local needs. Future research should assess pharmacy personnel's knowledge and perceptions of problematic opioid use and associated screening tools and interventions, which tools can be most effectively used in a community pharmacy, workflow needs to implement problematic opioid use screenings, and the impact of pharmacist engagement in problematic opioid use screening on patient clinical outcomes.

A comparison of 2013 and 2017 baseline characteristics among treatment-seeking patients who used opioids with co-occurring disorders

The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis that has captured the attention of the media and political leaders, but how much do we know about its implications for substance use disorder treatment providers? This study is the first to investigate the differing baseline characteristics among patients with co-occurring disorders who used opioids and entered residential treatment in 2013 and 2017. Our sample consisted of 1413 unique adults who reported using opioids upon admission to integrated residential treatment for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders during 2013 (n = 718) and 2017 (n = 695). Opioid use was defined as self-reported use of heroin or illicit use of prescription opioids, including methadone, during the month prior to admission into the treatment program. All study participants completed an admission interview that included the Addiction Severity Index (ASI). The 2017 cohort demonstrated higher severity than the 2013 cohort on the employment, psychiatric, and alcohol and drug ASI composite scores. A comparison of days per month that the cohorts used various substances also reveals this trend, with the following comparisons listing the 2017 cohort data first, and the 2013 cohort data second: (1) alcohol (8.6 days vs. 7.0 days); (2) cocaine (4.1 days vs. 2.2 days); (3) amphetamines (6.2 days vs. 3.6 days); and (4) polysubstance use in one day (16.6 days vs. 11.6 days). The 2017 cohort was also intoxicated from alcohol more days per month (7.2 days vs. 5.1 days). However, the 2017 cohort reported fewer days using prescription opioids (9.9 days vs. 12.4 days). A higher proportion of the 2017 cohort reported (1) depression (74% vs. 68%); (2) anxiety (88% vs. 84%); (3) hallucinations (14% vs 8%); and (4) and suicidal ideation (22% vs. 17%).

Personality and prescription drug use/misuse among first year undergraduates

Emerging adults (18-25 year olds) endorse the highest rates of prescription drug misuse. Attending college or university may confer additional risk. Previous research suggests that personality is an important predictor of many addictive behaviours. Four traits have been consistently implicated: anxiety sensitivity, hopelessness, sensation seeking, and impulsivity. Published studies on personality as a predictor of prescription drug abuse are limited, however, by a primary focus on overall prescription drug use, inconsistent operationalisation of misuse, and failure to control for alcohol use. Sample sizes have been small and non-specific. We sought to better understand how personality predicted the overall use, the medically-sanctioned use, and the misuse of prescription sedatives/tranquilizers, opioids, and stimulants. A large (N = 1755) sample of first year Canadian undergraduate students (mean age = 18.6 years; 68.9% female) was used. We predicted that: anxiety sensitivity would be related to sedatives/tranquilizers, hopelessness to opioids, sensation seeking to stimulants, and impulsivity to all three. Save for the impulsivity to opioid use path, predictions were fully supported in our "any use" model. For medically-sanctioned use: anxiety sensitivity predicted sedative/tranquilizers, hopelessness predicted opioids, and impulsivity predicted stimulants. For misuse: anxiety sensitivity (marginally) predicted sedatives/tranquilizers, sensation seeking predicted stimulants, and impulsivity predicted all three. Our models support using personality-matched interventions. Specifically, results suggest targeting anxiety sensitivity for sedative/tranquilizer misuse, sensation seeking for stimulant misuse, and impulsivity for unconstrained prescription drug misuse. Interventions with early coping skills that pertain to all four traits might be useful for preventing prescription drug uptake and later misuse.

The dynamic interaction between pain and opioid misuse

In 2014, drug overdose surpassed automobile accidents as the number one cause of accidental death for the first time in the history of the United States. The overdose epidemic is largely driven by opioids, and genuine prescription opioid analgesics play the biggest role in this phenomenon. Despite advancements in abuse deterrent formulations, prescription drug monitoring programmes and clinical assessments for the detection of abuse potential, drug overdoses continue to escalate. The Center for Disease Control has recently issued new guidelines for opioid prescription, yet even these recommendations have their shortcomings. Furthermore, undertreated pain in patients with comorbid substance use disorder poses a major clinical challenge, particularly for patients on opioid replacement therapy. Despite the seemingly obvious interaction between the presence of pain and the abuse of pain-relieving opioids, there is surprisingly little mechanistic data to further our understanding of this vitally important topic. The need for novel pain interventions that minimize abuse liability is critical. Without a fundamental characterization of pain neurobiology and the interaction between chronic pain and the brain's reward system, we are unlikely to make progress in the alleviation of the opioid epidemic.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed section on Emerging Areas of Opioid Pharmacology. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.14/issuetoc.

A community pharmacy intervention for opioid medication misuse: A pilot randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

Community pharmacy continues to play a crucial role in the national response to the opioid epidemic. The purpose of this article is to describe the protocol for a pilot study that is examining the feasibility and acceptability of the Motivational Intervention-Medication Therapy Management (MI-MTM) model. This study also examines the preliminary clinical effect of MI-MTM for improving opioid medication misuse and patient activation in self-management of health conditions that increase risk for misuse.

DESIGN

MI-MTM is a pharmacy-based integrated care model made up of 4 evidence-based practices: medication therapy management; brief motivational intervention; patient navigation; and naloxone training and referral. To test MI-MTM compared with Standard Medication Counseling (SMC), we are conducting a 2-group randomized single-blinded controlled trial with assessments at 3 time points.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The study is being conducted within a western Pennsylvania university-based community pharmacy with 46 patients with opioid misuse (MI-MTM = 23; SMC = 23).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Feasibility will be measured by capturing patient completion rate of MI-MTM sessions. Acceptability will be measured by administering satisfaction surveys regarding pharmacist and patient navigator services. Acceptability will also be captured by conducting intensive qualitative interviews. Preliminary effect of the intervention on misuse will be measured with the use of the Prescription Opioid Misuse Index and the Opioid Compliance Checklist. Activation in self-management will be measured with the use of the Patient Activation Measure.

RESULTS

This project is currently recruiting, and results are to come.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first in the United States to implement an evidence-based integrated behavioral intervention into the community pharmacy setting to address opioid medication misuse among pharmacy patients. The results of this study will provide necessary foundational data that allow further testing of this intervention model in a larger trial.

Dose-response relationship between functional pain interference and nonmedical analgesic use: Findings from a nationally representative Canadian survey

Background

Despite the epidemic of nonmedical analgesic use (NMAU) in North America, there is a scarcity of research quantifying the effect of pain on NMAU.

Aims

This study sought to investigate the relationship between NMAU and functional pain interference, defined as the perceived level of interference in performing activities of daily living due to pain, in a population-based sample of the general Canadian population.

Methods

Data from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)–Mental Health, a nationally representative cross-sectional survey, were used to conduct bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results

The weighted prevalences of pain and NMAU were 20.6% and 6.6%, respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, education, culture/race, and chronic mental health diagnosis, a dose–response relationship was observed between higher functional pain interference and increased odds of NMAU, ranging from 1.61 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22–2.12) to 2.98 (95% CI, 2.21–4.01) from the lowest to the highest levels of functional pain interference. Elevated odds of NMAU were also observed among younger respondents aged 20–29 years and 15–19 years, respondents with a chronic mental illness diagnosis, and males. Secondary analyses revealed that the dose–response relationship between greater function pain interference and increased odds of NMAU persisted within subgroups with and without mental illness, as well as within subgroups aged 40 to 69.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the potential role of pain on increasing NMAU and the need for targeted strategies to reduce harms of NMAU among high-risk subgroups such as young adults.

Prescription Opioid Misuse Among Rural Community Pharmacy Patients: Pilot Study for Screening and Implications for Future Practice and Research

BACKGROUND

Opioid misuse imposes a disproportionately heavy burden on individuals living in rural areas. Community pharmacy has the potential to expand and coordinate with health professionals to identify and intervene with those who misuse opioids.

OBJECTIVE

Rural and urban community pharmacy patients were recruited in this pilot project to describe and compare patterns of opioid misuse.

METHODS

We administered a health screening survey in 4 community pharmacies among patients filling opioid medications. Univariate statistics were used to assess differences in health characteristics and opioid medication misuse behaviors between rural and urban respondents. Multivariable statistics were used to identify risk factors associated with rural and urban opioid misuse.

RESULTS

A total of 333 participants completed the survey. Participants in rural settings had poorer overall health, higher pain levels, lower education, and a higher rate of unemployment compared to patients in urban pharmacies. Rural respondents with illicit drug use (adjustable odds ratio [aOR]: 14.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.16-95.38), posttraumatic stress disorder (aOR: 5.44, 95% CI = 1.52-19.50), and ≤high school education (aOR: 6.68, 95% CI = 1.06-42.21) had increased risk for opioid misuse.

CONCLUSIONS

Community pharmacy represents a promising resource for potential identification of opioid misuse, particularly in rural communities. Continued research must extend these findings and work to establish collaborative services in rural settings.

Opioid medication misuse among unhealthy drinkers

BACKGROUND

Combining opioid medications and alcohol has serious implications for patient health, including overdose. Information regarding those who use/misuse opioid medications and engage in unhealthy alcohol use is limited to pharmacological and epidemiological descriptions. This study presents opioid medication misuse and behavioral, mental, and physical health characteristics of persons filling opioid medications that are engaged in unhealthy alcohol use.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey at 5 community pharmacies in Southwestern, Pennsylvania among patients filling opioid medications. Respondents completed validated opioid medication misuse, alcohol use, illicit drug use, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and physical health functioning assessments. We present univariate and multivariate statistics describing opioid medication misuse and health risks among those positive for unhealthy alcohol use.

RESULTS

A total of 344 patients completed the survey (75.8% response). A total of 15.9% of respondents screened positive for opioid medication misuse, of whom 20.3% reported unhealthy alcohol use. Taking opioid medications too often was reported among a larger proportion of the sample with unhealthy alcohol use (34.3%) compared to those without (22.1%, p=0.04). Further, among respondents with unhealthy alcohol use, illicit drug use (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=12.14, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=1.64-89.72) and PTSD (AOR=9.77, 95% CI=1.70-56.11) were associated with increased odds for opioid medication misuse.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest respondents with unhealthy alcohol use had distinct health profiles, which may place them at risk for opioid misuse and adverse events, such as overdose. Continued research must work to further understand these relationships and identify intervention and treatment strategies.

What are the Patterns Between Depression, Smoking, Unhealthy Alcohol Use, and Other Substance Use Among Individuals Receiving Medical Care? A Longitudinal Study of 5479 Participants

To evaluate and characterize the structure of temporal patterns of depression, smoking, unhealthy alcohol use, and other substance use among individuals receiving medical care, and to inform discussion about whether integrated screening and treatment strategies for these conditions are warranted. Using the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) we measured depression, smoking, unhealthy alcohol use and other substance use (stimulants, marijuana, heroin, opioids) and evaluated which conditions tended to co-occur within individuals, and how this co-occurrence was temporally structured (i.e. concurrently, sequentially, or discordantly). Current depression was associated with current use of every substance examined with the exception of unhealthy alcohol use. Current unhealthy alcohol use and marijuana use were also consistently associated. Current status was strongly predicted by prior status (p < 0.0001; OR = 2.99-22.34) however, there were few other sequential relationships. Associations in the HIV infected and uninfected subgroups were largely the same with the following exceptions. Smoking preceded unhealthy alcohol use and current smoking was associated with current depression in the HIV infected subgroup only (p < 0.001; OR = 1.33-1.41 and p < 0.001; OR = 1.25-1.43). Opioid use and current unhealthy alcohol use were negatively associated only in the HIV negative subgroup (p = 0.01; OR = 0.75). Patterns of depression, smoking, unhealthy alcohol use, and other substance use were temporally concordant, particularly with regard to depression and substance use. These patterns may inform future development of more integrated screening and treatment strategies.

The association between age of onset of opioid use and comorbidity among opioid dependent patients receiving methadone maintenance therapy

Background

Opioid use disorder (OUD) affects approximately 21.9 million people worldwide. This study aims to determine the association between age of onset of opioid use and comorbid disorders, both physical and psychiatric, in patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) for OUD. Understanding this association may inform clinical practice about important prognostic factors of patients on MMT, enabling clinicians to identify high-risk patients.

Methods

This study includes data collected between June 2011 and August 2016 for the Genetics of Opioid Addiction research collaborative between McMaster University and the Canadian Addiction Treatment Centers. All patients were interviewed by trained health professionals using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview and case report forms. Physical comorbidities were verified using patients’ electronic medical records. A multi-variable logistic regression model was constructed to determine the strength of the association between age of onset of opioid use and the presence of physical or psychiatric comorbidity while adjusting for current age, sex, body mass index, methadone dose and smoking status.

Results

Data from 627 MMT patients with a mean age of 38.8 years (SD = 11.07) were analyzed. Individuals with an age of onset of opioid use younger than 18 years were found to be at higher odds for having a physical or psychiatric comorbid disorder compared to individuals with an age of onset of opioid use of 31 years or older (odds ratio 2.94, 95% confidence interval 1.20, 7.19, p = 0.02). A significant association was not found between the risk of having a comorbidity and an age of onset of opioid use between 18 and 25 years or 26 and 30 years, compared to an age of onset of opioid use of 31 years or older.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that the younger one begins to use opioids, the greater their chance of having a physical or psychiatric co-morbidity. Understanding the risk posed by an earlier onset of opioid use for the later development of comorbid disorders informs clinical practice about important prognostic predictors and aids in the identification of high-risk patients.

Behavioral, mental, and physical health characteristics and opioid medication misuse among community pharmacy patients: A latent class analysis

BACKGROUND

Community pharmacists are well-positioned to address the US opioid medication crisis, which has created a need to detect misuse risk in order to provide optimal patient care.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to identify community pharmacy patient subgroups at risk for opioid medication misuse.

METHODS

This study was a cross-sectional survey that examined behavioral, mental, and physical health characteristics among patients filling opioid pain medications. A convenience sample of adult patients filling opioid pain medications who were not receiving cancer treatment were screened in 2 urban and 2 rural community pharmacies in southwestern Pennsylvania. Patient subgroups were identified using latent class analysis. Latent class regression analysis was used to examine the association between subgroup membership and misuse.

RESULTS

A total of 333 patients completed the survey (response rate 71.4%). Latent class analysis results showed that a 3-class solution best fit the data, which were labeled: mental health (8.4%, n = 28), poor health (79.6%, n = 265), and hazardous alcohol use (12%, n = 40). Individuals within the mental health subgroup had an increased risk for opioid medication misuse (Odds Ratio = 6.23, 95% CI = 5.13-7.33).

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate heterogeneity of this population receiving prescribed opioids and the potential to identify subgroups with high misuse risk. These findings also support routine screening of patients filling opioid medications and suggest the need for evidence-based patient-centered intervention development.

Prescription opioid abuse: pharmacists' perspective and response

Opioid medication abuse and overdose are major concerns for public health, and a number of responses to address these issues have taken place across the US. Pharmacists and the pharmacy profession have made important contributions as a part of the response to this national crisis. This article provides a brief review of the antecedents, driving forces, and health status of patients involved in the opioid medication and overdose epidemic. This review further discusses pharmacy-based actions that have been undertaken to address this issue, including prescription drug monitoring, take-back, and naloxone training/distribution programs. This review likewise examines current efforts underway in the field to educate practitioners and needed future steps that must be taken by pharmacists in order to continue the profession's pivotal role in working toward resolving this national public health problem. In particular, evidence and arguments are presented for proactively identifying and intervening with patients who abuse and/or are at risk for overdose. Continued and active engagement by pharmacists in these efforts has the potential to result in important reductions in opioid medication abuse and overdose and improvements for patient's health.

Nonmedical Prescription Opioid Use and DSM-5 Nonmedical Prescription Opioid Use Disorder in the United States

OBJECTIVE

The authors present 12-month and lifetime prevalence, correlates, psychiatric comorbidity, and treatment of nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) and DSM-5 NMPOU disorder (NMPOUD).

METHODS

Data were derived from the 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III) (N = 36,309).

RESULTS

Prevalences of 12-month and lifetime NMPOU were 4.1% and 11.3%, exceeding rates in the 2001-2002 NESARC (1.8%, 4.7%). Twelve-month and lifetime rates of DSM-5 NMPOUD were 0.9% and 2.1%. NESARC-III DSM-IV NMPOUD rates (0.8%, 2.9%) were greater than those observed in the 2001-2002 NESARC (0.4% and 1.4%). Rates of NMPOU were greater among men, but no sex differential was observed for NMPOUD. Prevalences of NMPOU and NMPOUD were generally greater among 18- to 64-year-old individuals, whites, and Native Americans, and individuals with lower socioeconomic status. Associations were observed between 12-month and lifetime NMPOU and NMPOUD and other drug use disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, and borderline, schizotypal, and antisocial personality disorders; persistent depression and major depressive disorder (for NMPOU); and bipolar I disorder (for NMPOUD). Only 5.5% and 17.7% of individuals with 12-month NMPOU and NMPOUD were ever treated.

CONCLUSIONS

NMPOU and NMPOUD have considerably increased over the past decade, are associated with a broad array of risk factors and comorbidities, and largely go untreated in the United States. More information on the determinants, characteristics, and outcomes of NMPOU and NMPOUD is needed to support evidence-based interventions and prevention.

Prescription opioid use: Patient characteristics and misuse in community pharmacy

OBJECTIVES

Opioid pain medication misuse is a major concern for US public health. The purpose of this article is to: 1) describe the demographic and physical, behavioral, and mental health characteristics of patients who fill opioid medications in community pharmacy settings; and 2) describe the extent of opioid medication misuse behaviors among these patients.

DESIGN

We recruited and screened a convenience sample of patients with the use of a tablet computer-based assessment protocol that examined behavioral, mental, and physical health. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated to describe respondents and their opioid medication misuse and health characteristics.

SETTING

Patients were screened in 2 urban and 2 rural community pharmacies in southwestern Pennsylvania.

PARTICIPANTS

Survey participants were adult patients filling opioid pain medications who were not currently receiving treatment for a cancer diagnosis.

INTERVENTION

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Validated screening measures included the Prescription Opioid Misuse Index, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test C, Short Form 12, Drug Abuse Screening Test 10, Primary Care Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) screen, and the Patient Health Questionnaire 2.

RESULTS

A total of 333 patients were screened (71.2% response rate). Nearly the entire population reported pain above and general health below national norms. Hydrocodone (19.2%) and morphine (20.8%) were found to be the medications with the highest rates of misuse-with hydrocodone having more than 4 times higher odds of misuse compared with other medications (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 4.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-17.4). Patients with positive screens for illicit drug use (AOR 8.07, 95% CI 2.7-24.0), PTSD (AOR 5.88, 95% CI 2.3-14.7), and depression (AOR 2.44, 95% CI 1.0-5.9) also had significantly higher odds for misuse compared with those with negative screening results.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide important foundational data that suggest implementation of regular opioid misuse screening protocols within community pharmacies. Such screening activities could foster a culture of prevention and overall reduction for misuse among patients filling opioid medications in community pharmacies.

Developing a framework of care for opioid medication misuse in community pharmacy

BACKGROUND

Prescription opioid misuse is a major public health concern in the US. Few resources exist to support community pharmacists engaging patients who misuse or are at risk for misuse.

OBJECTIVES

This report describes the results of the execution of the ADAPT-ITT model (a model for modifying evidence-based behavioral interventions to new populations and service settings) to guide the development of a behavioral health framework for opioid medication misuse in the community pharmacy setting.

METHODS

Pharmacy, addiction, intervention, and treatment experts were convened to attend a one-day meeting to review the empirical knowledgebase and discuss adapting the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) protocol for addressing opioid medication misuse in community pharmacy. Qualitative data gathered from the meeting were analyzed by 2 independent coders in a 2-cycle process using objective coding schemes. Percentage of agreement and Cohen's Kappa were calculated to assess coder agreement.

RESULTS

First-cycle coding identified 4 distinct themes, with coder percentage of agreement ranging from 93.5 to 99.6% and with Kappa values between 0.81 and 0.93. Second-cycle coding identified 10 sub-themes, with coder percentage of agreement ranging from 83 to 99.8% and with Kappa values between 0.58 and 0.93. Identified themes and sub-themes encompassed patient identification, intervention, prevention, and referral to treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Focus of screening efforts in the emerging model should capitalize on pharmacists' knowledge of medication management. Screening likewise should be multidimensional in order to facilitate patient-centered interventions that activate additional disciplines able to interface with patients at risk or involved in medication misuse.

Gender and nonmedical prescription opioid use and DSM-5 nonmedical prescription opioid use disorder: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions - III

BACKGROUND

Little is known about sex-specific risk for nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) and DSM-5 nonmedical prescription opioid use disorder (NMPOUD). The objective of the present study was to present prevalence, correlates, psychiatric comorbidity, treatment and disability of NMPOU and DSM-5 NMPOUD among men and women.

METHODS

Nationally representative sample of the U.S.

RESULTS

Prevalences of 12-month and lifetime NMPOU were greater among men (4.4%, 13.0%) than women (3.9%, 9.8%), while corresponding rates of DSM-5 NMPOUD did not differ between men (0.9%, 2.2%) and women (0.9%, 1.9%). Regardless of time frame and sex, NMPOU and NMPOUD generally decreased with age and were lower among Blacks, Asians/Pacific Islanders and Hispanics, and respondents with lower socioeconomic status. Among men with NMPOU, rates were lower among respondents in the Northeast and South and among those previously married (lifetime). Across time frames and gender, NMPOU and NMPOUD were generally associated with other substance use disorders, posttraumatic stress and borderline, schizotypal and antisocial personality disorders, but associated with major depressive disorder, persistent depression and bipolar I disorder only among men. Disability increased with NMPOU frequency and NMPOUD severity. Only 7.6% and 8.2% of men and women with NMPOU ever received treatment, while 26.8% and 31.1% ever received treatment for NMPOUD.

CONCLUSIONS

NMPOU and NMPOUD are highly disabling, associated with a broad array of sex-specific and shared correlates and comorbidities and largely go untreated in the U.S. Valid assessment tools are needed that include gender as a stratification variable to identify NMPOU and NMPOUD.

Substance abuse/dependence treatment: a European perspective

During the past decade, substantial progress has been made in the field of addiction medicine in Europe, particularly regarding the development of new treatment interventions, resulting in a wide range of therapeutic options for patients with substance use disorders. However, not all interventions are evidence based. Patients with cannabis and cocaine/amphetamine use disorders and special patient populations especially lack evidence-based treatment recommendations. Many patients undergo treatment that has not been scientifically evaluated for quality and efficacy. Moreover, there are large disparities regarding availability and treatment access across Europe, with the new member states of the European Union (EU) reporting long waiting lists and low treatment coverage. Even in Austria, which ranks among the countries with relatively high treatment coverage and good diversification of treatment in opioid maintenance therapy due to the availability of methadone, buprenorphine, and slow-release oral morphine (SROM), a considerable population of untreated or inadequately treated patients exists. Treatment for substance use disorders in Europe still has scope for improvement in terms of treatment availability and access, which is ideally provided by further development and implementation of evidence-based interventions.

Psychiatric Prescribers' Experiences With Doctor Shoppers

Doctor shopping is a primary method of prescription medication diversion. After opioids, benzodiazepines and stimulants are the next most common prescription medications used nonmedically. Studies have shown that patients who engage in doctor shopping find it fun, exciting, and easy to do. There is a lack of research on the prescriber's perspective on the phenomenon of doctor shopping. This study investigates the experiences of prescribers in psychiatry with patients who engage in doctor shopping. Fifteen prescribers including psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners working in outpatient psychiatry were interviewed to elicit detailed information about their experiences with patients who engage in doctor shopping. Themes found throughout the interview were that psychiatric prescribers' experience with patients who engage in doctor shopping includes (a) detecting red flags, (b) negative emotional responding, (c) addressing the patient and the problem, and (d) inconsistently implementing precautions. When red flags were detected when prescribing controlled drugs, prescribers in psychiatry experienced both their own negative emotional responses such as disappointment and resentment as well as the negative emotions of the patients such as anger and other extreme emotional responses. Psychiatric prescribers responded to patient's doctor shopping in a variety of ways such as changing their practice, discharging the patients or taking steps to not accept certain patients identified as being at risk for doctor shopping, as well as by talking to the patient and trying to offer them help. Despite experiencing doctor shopping, the prescribers inconsistently implemented precautionary measures such as checking prescription drug monitoring programs.